Convertible bag

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to an article of luggage which is convertible between a backpack configuration and a handbag configuration by turning the bag inside out, article including a flexible bag having opposed, rectangular front and back panels; opposed rectangular side panels; opposed rectangular top and bottom panels; and a liner which is securable to the inside of the bag.

CROSS REFERENCE

The present application claims the benefit of UAE 2008/665, filed onJul. 9, 2008, whose content is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an item of luggage. More particularly, thisinvention relates to an item of luggage, which is convertible from abackpack configuration into a handbag configuration.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Applicant has identified a need for an item of luggage which isconvertible between two distinct configurations, specifically between abackpack configuration and a handbag configuration.

In this specification and in the appended claims, the term “backpack”means a general purpose carry bag which may or may not include shoulderstrap; and the term “handbag” means a purse-type bag for holdingpersonal items of ladies or gentlemen.

In particular, applicant has found that cyclists, and particularly ladycyclists, are often required to carry a backpack for holding, forexample gym clothes or shopping items as well as a handbag separatelywhen cycling. A backpack is for obvious reasons much better suited forcycling than a handbag and the latter is very often placed in thebackpack for when the cyclist reaches his or her destination and wantsto carry a more presentable or fashionable carry bag than a backpack.Sometimes the backpack is small enough to place inside the handbag whenthe cyclist reaches his or her destination but very often this is notpossible or feasible.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an itemof luggage which is convertible from a first configuration into a secondconfiguration. In particular, the invention relates to an article ofluggage which is convertible between a backpack configuration and ahandbag configuration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, an article of luggage includes a flexiblebag having opposed, rectangular front and back panels; opposedrectangular side panels; opposed rectangular top and bottom panels; anda liner which is securable to the inside of the bag.

The liner may be in the shape of a sock with an open mouth and the mouthmay, in a preferred form of the invention, be provided with adrawstring.

The article may be convertible between a backpack configuration and ahandbag configuration by turning the bag inside out.

The article preferably includes a pair of shoulder straps securedthereto on the one side thereof and a pair of handbag straps secured tothe reverse side thereof.

The article may include a plurality of pockets provided on the panels ofthe bag on both sides thereof.

The article may further include fastening means for securing the linerto the inside of the bag.

The fastening means preferably comprises a plurality of fasteningsockets, secured to the bag and a plurality of complementary fasteningstuds secured to the liner near its mouth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This invention will now be described in more detail with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of an article of luggage according tothe invention in its backpack configuration;

FIG. 2 is a schematic back view of an article of luggage according tothe invention in its backpack configuration;

FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of an article of luggage according tothe invention in its handbag configuration;

FIG. 4 is a schematic back view of an article of luggage according tothe invention in its handbag configuration; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of an inner lining used in the articleof luggage in either configuration;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, an article of luggageaccording to the invention is shown in a backpack 10 configuration.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the backpack 10 describing a rectangular front panel12 on which a top pocket 14 and a bottom pocket 16 are located. Pocket14 has a zip 18 and pocket 16 features a zip (not shown) under a Velcrolined flap 20.

A plurality of outwardly facing fastener sockets 22 are attached to oneside of the panel 12 as shown for fastening a liner (not shown) when thebackpack 10 is in its handbag configuration. Inwardly facing fastenersockets 24 are used to attach the liner (not shown) when the backpack 10is in its backpack configuration as shown in this drawing.

The backpack 10 further includes a back panel 13 as well as two sidepanels 26.1 and 26.2, a top panel 28.1 and a bottom panel 28.2. Toppanel 28.1 and side panel 26.1 include a double sided zipper 30 forproviding access to the inside of the backpack 10. Applicant has foundthat a double sided zip 30 with two toggles 31 is necessary, one togglelocated at either end of the zip. The reason for this is that when thearticle of luggage is in one configuration with the zip toggle 31 in thecorrect position, the zip toggle 31 would be at the wrong end of the zipwhen the article is turned inside out into its second configuration.

A carry handle 29 is provided on the top panel 28.1 as shown.

In FIG. 5, a cloth liner 32 is shown. The liner 32 includes fastenerstuds 34 which mate with fastener sockets 24 to secure the liner 32 tothe inside of the backpack 10 shown in FIG. 1. A drawstring 36 isprovided to close the liner 32.

FIG. 2 shows the back end of the backpack 10 of FIG. 1. A back panel 13is shown in this drawing to which a pair of adjustable shoulder straps40 are secured. Inwardly facing fastening sockets 24 are provided asshown for the liner of FIG. 5. Outwardly facing fastening sockets 22 areprovided for the liner of FIG. 5 when the article is in its handbagconfiguration as described hereunder.

A side pocket 42 is provided on side panel 26.2 and an elasticized meshpocket 44 is provided on one of the shoulder straps 40. The shoulderstraps 40 each includes an adjustment buckle 46.

In use, the backpack 10 can be converted into its handbag configurationsimply by removing the liner 32 of FIG. 5 from the backpack and byturning the backpack 10 inside out.

FIG. 3 shows the article of luggage in its handbag 50 configuration. Inthis configuration the handbag 50 includes a front panel 52, a backpanel 54 side panels 56.1 and 56.2 respectively and top and bottompanels 58.1 and 58.2 respectively.

The front panel 52 features a first pocket 60 with a clasp 60.1 and anopen pocket 62. Side panel 56.1 features a pocket 64 which may be usedfor a mobile phone (not shown). Handbag straps 66 are attached to thetop panel 58.1 and side panels 56.2.

In this configuration, the zipper 30 is shown in the top panel 58.1.

In use, the liner 32 is secured to the inside of the handbag 50 usingthe fastener sockets as shown on the inside of the handbag.

Thus the article of clothing is reversible and useful as either abackpack or a handbag. The contents (not shown) of the handbag or thebackpack can be removed by removing the liner 32.

Two types of material may be used in layers to manufacture the articleof luggage. For example, a layer of synthetic waterproof material and alayer of more fashionable material such as suede or leather may be usedso that when in its backpack configuration, the waterproof material isvisible and when in its handbag configuration, the leather is visible.

It will be appreciated that many variations or modifications of thisinvention are possible without departing from the scope of the appendedclaims.

1. An article of luggage including a flexible bag having opposed,rectangular front and back panels; opposed rectangular side panels;opposed rectangular top and bottom panels; and a liner which issecurable to the inside of the bag.
 2. An article as claimed in claim 1wherein the liner is in a substantially sock shape with an open mouth.3. An article as claimed in claim 2 wherein the mouth of the liner isprovided with a drawstring.
 4. An article as claimed in any one ofclaims 1 to 3 which is convertible between a backpack configuration anda handbag configuration by turning the bag inside out.
 5. An article asclaimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the bag includes a pair ofshoulder straps secured thereto on the one side thereof and a pair ofhandbag straps secured to the reverse side thereof.
 6. An article asclaimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 including a plurality of pocketsprovided on the panels of the bag on both sides thereof.
 7. An articleas claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 including fastening means forsecuring the liner to the inside of the bag.
 8. An article as claimed inclaim 7 wherein the fastening means comprises a plurality fasteningsockets, secured to the bag and a plurality of complementary fasteningstuds secured to the liner near its mouth.